1. Event date

29th May - 2nd June 2027 ( 5 days)

Four categories:

- Female

- Male

- Non-binary

- Pairs

2. Format: Self supported bikepacking

The Pennine 500 event follows the bikepacking ethos that during the event riders can use any public services that are open to any other rider as they source food, drink and accommodation.

In practice that means an individual rider or pair can choose to stay in a warm bed in the Cumberland Inn at Alston, rest in a bunk room at Twice Brewed Youth Hostel or bivy on the moors by Crackpot Hall in Swaledale.

The informal rule that applies to accommodation also applies to food supplies, ie, that riders should only use the shops and services available in the villages and market towns as they journey north and back again. Popping into your sister’s place for breakfast isn’t part of the event.

There are Coop and Spar stores in towns such as Haltwhistle and Appleby as well as late night stores at petrol stations in Pateley Bridge and corner shops in small places like Dent as well as cafes in places such as railway stations and campsites along the length and breadth of the Pennine 500.

An event guide consisting of place names and km markers will be sent to every rider at the end of November.

Bikepacking is about stepping outside of our comfort zone and stripping away the privileges we’re so familiar with. Finding a suitable place to eat and sleep whilst you ride is part of the logistics and adventure of the ride.

3. start / finish line

Event hub: Mytholmroyd Community Centre (MYCC)

Address: Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd, HX7 5AF

What3Words: ///worked.firelight.rested

GPS trackers: Riders collect their trackers provided by Follow My Challenge in the event room on Friday 28th May from 5 - 7pm and on Saturday 29th May from 6am.

Saturday morning: Tea, coffee and breakfast pastries to get you fueled up from 6am to 7.45am.

Grand Depart: 8am

There is a bag drop option (max 30 litres) for a change of clothes.

The centre has excellent separate male / female toilets, changing rooms and shower facilities.

Vehicles can be parked at MYCC for 5 days from Friday 28th May till Wednesday 2nd June (hefty fees apply for everyday parking).

Camper vans can be parked and slept in prior to the start and at the finish.

The event hub is 5 minutes from Mytholmroyd train station on the Leeds-Manchester Pennine line.

The start line will be marked out with chalk at the front of the Community Centre.

4. GPx File

A ‘field tested’ gpx file to guide you around the 508kms single stage route will be sent to your email address a week prior to the event.

The GPS will be on public view at Ride with GPS following the inaugural Pennine 500 event and so riders are welcome to experience the route as a DIY adventure.

5. TRACKERs

Hire of mandatory GPS trackers included in the entry fee and the ‘dot watching’ page hosted by Follow My Challenge.

£30 deposit required for the tracker and fully refunded upon return of the tracker at the finish line.

The purpose of a tracker is to validate that the rider has followed the complete, single stage Pennine 500 route with their time entered onto the Pennine 500 ‘Edition 1’ page.

FKT’s in the following categories will be recorded via FMC:

- Female

- Male

- Non-binary

- Pairs

6. Route

508kms / 9,830m

60% paved / 40% unpaved

7. WhatsApp Group

Keep in touch with Pennine 500 riders and share ideas and news about bikepacking the route via the WhatsApp group.

8. PERSONAL CHALLENGE

Pennine 500 is not a bike race. It is a personal challenge and every rider who participates will receive an embroidered cloth badge made in Leeds.

9. Tickets -

£85 Rider - Includes hire of mandatory GPS tracker and embroidered cloth badge

£95 Patrons - In addition to the GPS tracker and cloth badge, Patrons will receive a printed zine titled ‘Pennine 500’ with details of four route sections and stories from the trail (contents are listed in the link below).

Patrons also receive a bike sticker with the Pennine 500 logo sent out with the zine.

Ticket price includes SiEntry admin fee.

10. Patrons and the printed zine

11. legal matters

12. The ethos of Self-supported bikepacking